Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
FAQ: Green Questions from the URJ
| FAQ: Green Questions |
Is environmentalism a Jewish Issue? Yes! Our story of peoplehood begins: “The Lord God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, to till it and tend it.” (Genesis, 2:15) See the Judaism and the Environment page for more information.
Where do I start? Start with an energy audit. This audit will calculate your current energy usage and recommend specific adjustments you can make to lower the environmental footprint of the building. The professional administering the audit will walk though the synagogue inspecting doors, windows, walls, heating, appliances, etc to gain an in-depth understanding of how best to green your specific building (the suggestions on this website and in the greening guides are meant to be broad, not directed at any one specific congregation). Contact Energy Star Congregations for assistance in finding a certified Energy Auditor in your area – you should also join Energy Star Congregations while you are on the website.
What are CFL bulbs and why should I use them? Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) are fluorescent light bulbs which have gained broad appeal in recent years. While many are spiral, CFLs come in various shapes and sizes. The light bulbs last ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs while using only ¼ of the energy of regular bulbs. While CFLs have some mercury content and need to be disposed of properly with other household hazardous waste items in order to contain the mercury this should not discourage their use. Replacing just ten 100-watt bulbs could reduce your congregation’s CO2 emissions by more than 8,254 tons over the lifespan of the CFL! You could also save roughly $600 on energy bills with CFLs in comparison to using incandescent bulbs in that same time span.
Which is better and what’s the difference: Local vs. Organic foods? Local foods are grown within the community/neighborhood. Depending upon your area, the “community” size and location may vary. Organic foods do not contain chemicals or pesticides and they are not treated with chemicals in any stage of their processing. They are grown on land that has been, (in order to be certified organic,) chemical free for at least three years. The main difference is local refers to where the food originates and organic refers to how it is grown and handled. If you only have the option of one or the other, you must choose which you deem more environmentally friendly. Organic food may be chemical free, but if you live in Florida and the produce comes from California, then there will be energy and resources expended to package and ship the food. On the other hand, fruits and vegetables from a local farmer’s market probably didn’t travel very far or necessitate a great deal of packaging, but they may be treated with pesticides and other chemicals. Consider starting a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm to take greater control over this choice.
Farm raised, free-range and cage-free: So many labels, what do they all mean? All three of these labels refer to the way the animal is bred and raised. What is important to note is that there is not strict regulation on food labeling, although to use certain agency or organizational labels, such as USDA Certified, specific criteria must be met. Also, some animal rights groups dispute the legitimacy of these labels, claiming the names are misleading and that they do not accurately describe the animals’ living conditions. The following is a brief overview of farm raised, free range and cage-free animals, as well as some links to find out more information.
Farm Raised : Concerning farm-raised game, the USDA states that such “game live in more confined outdoor areas [than their ranch raised counterparts, which are allowed to roam at will over hundreds of acres] and are fed grains such as wheat, alfalfa or corn.” Fish are considered "wild" if they have spent their entire life cycle in the wild and originate from parents that were also produced by natural spawning and continuously lived in the wild. Farm-raised fish, on the other hand, are raised in small pens in the ocean or ponds and are secured by nets. Because they are not free to swim throughout the ocean, they are not able to eat the natural diet of wild salmon, which contributes to both salmon’s lush pink color and rich levels of healthy Omega 3 fatty acids.
Free Range : The USDA states that free range refers to “A system of animal management where animals are not confined and can freely roam and forage over a large area of open land.”
Cage Free : The Humane Society states: “Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. Unlike battery hens [which are raised in tiny confined spaces in which they cannot even spread their wings] cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests. Cage-free egg producers who obtain certification under the better welfare standards programs must provide perching and dust-bathing areas for the birds as well.”
Additional Resources :
Organic Farming guide from the EPA
Hekhsher Tzedek, or Magen Tzedek, is a project of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism to certify food items to be ethically produced. In addition to items being Kosher, they are also required to be produced under ethical labor practices (with regard to both human workers and animals,) corporate transparency and with minimal environmental impact.
Does doing only a little bit help? Absolutely! You’ve heard people say, in relation to any number of things, that something is better than nothing. That is especially true with environmental responsibility. We learn from Pirkei Avot: “It is not required of you to complete the task but neither are you free to desist from it.” So while you are not expected to do everything, you are encouraged to do what you can. You could start by changing from incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones. Or you could start by turning off the water while you brush your teeth. Whatever you can do is be better than ignoring the problem all together. In this case, every little bit really does help.
How can I make sure the purchases I make (for myself or for my congregation) are environmentally responsible? As consumers, we make choices everyday that have long-lasting environmental impacts. As Julia Hailes, author of A Green Consumer Guide explains, "All products have an environmental impact, however small. The idea is to reduce it to the minimum." Visit the Purchasing: Spending Green page and consider the environmental impacts of your everyday purchases from office and classroom supplies to products used for Jewish celebrations and lifecycle events.
How can I measure my efforts? Ways of measuring your impact vary but here are a two simple ways to know you are contributing to tikkun olam .
- After changing all your incandescent light bulbs to CFL ones, compare pre- and post-change electric bills. You should notice a drop in energy use (great for the environment!) and a drop in the payment amount due (great for your wallet!)
- Set benchmarks for yourself or your congregation and then calculate your carbon footprint at each point. The Jewish National Fund has a carbon calculator on its website – you can calculate your CO2 output in minutes!
How can I solicit support for congregational greening efforts from my board? Your synagogue’s board members are most likely inclined to want to go green but when it comes to making decisions for the congregation, they’re often concerned with the answers to three main questions: What’s the Jewish connection? Where does this fit in to our synagogue’s mission statement? How much will this cost / How is this financially advantageous? This website provides information that will help answer all three questions. In particular, see the Judaism and the Environment and Funding Sources pages for details.
Is there funding available? Yes. Limited funds are available from several non-Union sources. See the Funding Sources page for details.
Isn’t this really a political issue? No – this is a moral and a Jewish issue. A majority of scientists have concluded that there is a climate crisis and they warn of dire consequences if we do not act now. The responsibility of repairing our world falls on all generations, as Talmud explains: While the sage, Choni, was walking along a road, he saw a man planting a carob tree. Choni asked him: "How long will it take for this tree to bear fruit?" "Seventy years," replied the man. Choni then asked: "Are you so healthy a man that you expect to live that length of time and eat its fruit?" The man answered: "I found a fruitful world because my ancestors planted it for me. Likewise, I am planting for my children."
I want to learn more. Who can I contact for more information? Greening Reform Judaism is here to help. Send your questions to greening@urj.org.
Glossary: Green Words
Glossary: Green Words |
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Just what is sustainability? What is organic? Do I have a carbon footprint? And what exactly does it mean to be green? The Green Glossary is a compilation of environment-related words and phrases and their definitions. Alternative Energy: Usually environmentally friendly, this is energy from uncommon sources such as wind power or solar energy, not fossil fuels.
Alternative Fuel: Any fuel with a non-petroleum source, such as hydrogen, ethanol, and vegetable oil.
Annual Consumption: Refers to the amount of electricity used by a consumer in one year and is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This information is available on your electricity bill or by contacting your energy provider.
Bal Tashchit: This concept teaches us we should not be wasteful in our consumption and we should consider the value of even the tiniest insect as it is one of God’s creations.
Biodegradable: Substances which, when left alone, break down and are absorbed into the eco-system
Biodiesel: Diesel made with vegetable oil or animal fat. There are various blends: B20 is made with 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel, and usually requires no engine modifications.
Biofuels: Fuels made from organic materials, as opposed to those derived from oil and coal sources. The most common biofuel in the U.S. is corn-based ethanol. Unfortunately, corn based ethanol takes a large amount of energy to produce, and much of that energy comes from the burning of coal. Other biofuels, like cellulosic ethanol – made from switchgrass or other non-food crops — are more environmentally friendly. Sugar based ethanol, for example has eight times the energy potential of corn ethanol.
Bioware: A replacement for traditional plastic disposable utensils made from corn; it is biodegradable and compostable.
Birkat HaHammah: Literally “blessing of the sun”, Birkat HaHammah is observed by the Jewish community every 28 years to celebrate the return of the sun to its original place in the heavens at the precise time and day of its creation.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2): An atmospheric gas, composed of carbon and oxygen, that is a major component of the carbon cycle. Although produced through natural processes, carbon dioxide is also released through human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity. Carbon dioxide is the predominate gas contributing to the greenhouse effect, and as such is known to contribute to climate change.
Carbon Footprint: A measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. For an individual, the footprint can be calculated in a number of ways and takes into account various daily activities, such as travel, eating habits and household energy use.
Carbon Monoxide: A colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas commonly created during combustion
Carbon Neutral: A company, person or action either not producing any carbon emissions or, if it does, having been offset elsewhere
Certified Organic: Household products and food can be certified by the USDA to not contain chemicals at any stage of their processing. Pesticide-free food is generally the major concern with fruits and vegetables. For foods, the farmland on which they grow must have been free from chemicals for at least three years.
Climate Change: Any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate changes may result from natural factors, such as changes in the sun’s intensity or slow changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun; natural processes within the climate system (e.g. changes in ocean circulation); and/or human activities that change the atmosphere’s composition (e.g. through burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (deforestation, reforestation, urbanization, desertification, etc.)
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): (From the USDA) In basic terms, CSA consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community's farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production. Typically, members or "share-holders" of the farm or garden pledge in advance to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation and farmer's salary. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By direct sales to community members, who have provided the farmer with working capital in advance, growers receive better prices for their crops, gain some financial security and are relieved of much of the burden of marketing.
Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb (CFL): A type of lighting designed to replace incandescent bulbs. A CFL uses far less energy and lasts 8 to 15 times longer than incandescent bulbs. In the United States a CFL can save over $30 in electricity costs over the bulb’s lifetime compared to an incandescent bulb and save 2000 times their own weight in greenhouse gases.
Composting: A process whereby organic wastes, including food and paper, decompose naturally, resulting in produce rich in minerals and ideal for gardening and farming as a soil conditioner, mulch, resurfacing material or landfill cover.
Conservation: Preserving and renewing, when possible, human and natural resources.
Energy Star: A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program to increase energy efficiency. It provides Energy Star labels for electronic appliances that meet specific requirements for low energy use.
Ethanol: Ethyl alcohol is the chemical compound commonly known as ethanol and is the same type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is easy to manufacture and process and can be made from very common materials, such as sugar cane or corn. E85 is a fuel composed of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, used in vehicles with modified engines. It is one of many proposed methods of curbing the United States' dependence on foreign oil.
Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels are the nation’s principal source of electricity. The popularity of these fuels is largely due to their low costs. Fossil fuels come in three major forms – coal, oil and natural gas. Because fossil fuels are a finite resource and cannot be replenished once they are extracted and burned, they are not considered renewable.
Greenhouse Effect: The process that raises the temperature of air in the lower atmosphere due to heat trapped by greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons and ozone.
Greenhouse Gas: A gas which contributes to the greenhouse effect. Common ones include carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. These gases occur naturally, but large amounts emitted by human activities are adding to the climate crisis. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halogenated fluorocarbons, ozone, perfluorinated carbons and hydrofluorocarbons.
Greening/Going Green: The activity of adding sustainability principles and considerations into the planning process of an event or organizational or personal lifestyle.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED): The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development; water savings; energy efficiency; materials selection; and indoor environmental quality.
LED Lighting: LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, produce more light per watt than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs last more than 15 times longer, use less energy, are harder to damage and focus the light more than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Motion-sensor Lighting: Systems that turn lights on only when they detect movement in the area, thus saving energy by not lighting areas that are unoccupied. Bathrooms are typical places for such lights.
Non-toxic cleaners: Cleaning products that contain no toxic chemicals like chlorine, ammonia, butyl cellosolve and hydrochloric acid.
Offsets: A carbon offset is a carbon emission reduction project that helps decrease the amount of carbon dioxide that otherwise would be in the atmosphere. Verifiable carbon offsets are those certified by a third party for their methods of carbon reduction. The most common projects include investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency and reforestation.
Organic Food: (From the USDA) Food produced without: antibiotics; growth hormones; most conventional pesticides; petroleum- based fertilizers or sewage sludge-based fertilizers; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. USDA certification is required before a product can be labeled "organic". Companies, including restaurants that handle or process organic food must be certified also.
Ozone Layer: In the upper atmosphere about 15 miles above sea level, it forms a protective layer which shields the earth from excessive ultraviolet radiation and occurs naturally.
Recycling: Taking a product or material at the end of its useful life and turning it into a usable raw material in order to make another product, thus diverting it from the waste stream or from ending up in a landfill (see landfill definition).
Renewable Energy: Energy supplied from natural, relatively inexhaustible sources including the wind, sunlight, geothermal heat, the tide, plant products or biomass.
Repurpose: To convert an item from one form to another or to use in another format or product.
Resource Recovery system: A process that converts a previously consumed material into a new, useful product.
Reused Materials: Goods used multiple times for the same function.
Shomrei Adamah: Meaning guardians of the earth, this phrase captures the Jewish belief that we are charged with the task of protection and renewal of the earth.
Single Stream Recycling: Recycling that allows consumers to put all recyclable products into one disposal bin. Waste such as plastic, paper, glass, metal and electronics is later sorted by machines at the main recycling center and recycled for further use as another product.
Solar Energy: Solar energy uses semiconductor material to convert sunlight into electric currents. Although solar energy only provides 0.15% of the world’s power and less than 1% of U.S. energy, experts believe that sunlight has the potential to supply 5,000 times as much energy as the world currently consumes. Solar energy is clean and developing techniques for capture and storage will ensure that energy can be provided even on sunless days.
Solar-powered Lighting: Lighting powered off of solar energy harnessed from solar panels, or solar arrays, mounted on a nearby structure.
Sustainable: Systems that are sustainable focus on human economic systems that last longer and have less impact on the environment, particularly relating to concern over major global problems like the climate crisis and oil depletion. Sustainable goods can be used indefinitely without the possibility of depletion, and therefore complement ecological systems and ensure intergenerational equity.
Tikkun Olam: As the Jewish teaching that we are to repair the world in partnership with God, this is the phrase most commonly used when speaking about the Jewish obligation to care for the environment.
Tu BiSh’vat: As one of the four new years in Jewish tradition, the fifteenth (tu) of Shv’at marks the new year for the trees. Today, the holiday is widely considered to be the Jewish Arbor Day or Earth Day and is celebrated by planting trees, as they do in Israel, and championing environmental responsibility.
VOC Paints and Products: Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are found in many paints and other products. VOCs are emitted as gases from certain room temperature solids and liquids. These VOCs release toxins at low levels for years after application, in the case of paint, and are linked to many health problems. Durable low VOC and zero VOC paints have been developed by many manufacturers and are often identified by Green Seal certification. VOC contaminants can also be found in manufactured wood products and finishes, adhesives and upholstery.
Waste Diversion: The process of diverting waste from ending up in a landfill through recycling and composting efforts.
Wind Power: Electricity generated from wind turbines, which produce no pollution from operation. Currently, about 1% of world electricity comes from wind energy, but it is the fastest growing form of renewable energy.
Yarok: The Hebrew word for the color green
Many of these definitions are adapted from glossaries produced by the Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star and the United States Department of Agriculture.